Thetford shop forced to shut after selling vapes to children
The store sold illegal vapes and illicit tobacco as well as selling vapes to children, has been ordered to close following a court hearing.
A shop in Thetford which sold illegal vapes and illicit tobacco as well as selling vapes to children, has been ordered to close following a court hearing.
A closure notice was served at Central Supermarket on White Hart Street in Thetford on Monday 27 February 2024 following three visits over an eight month period from Norfolk Trading Standards and Norfolk Constabulary.
A significant number of items were seized during those visits including thousands of vapes (with puffs of between 3500-10000 when the legal limit is approx. 600 puffs) and illegal cigarettes.
Following the initial Notice, a court hearing was held at Norwich Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday 27 February) and a three-month closure order was granted.
A hearsay statement was given to the court from a parent whose 14 year old child readily admits to using illegal vapes (9000 puffs) obtained from Central Supermarket.
They stated that they have “grave concerns for the mental wellbeing and health of their child as they, the child, are now addicted to the use of vapes.”
A statement given to the court from a local school said they have “seen a very worrying and concerning upturn in the use of vapes by students over the last 2 years and in particular in the last 6 months.
The use of vapes has been affecting pupils’ behaviour and their ability to concentrate on learning due to being addicted to the use of them.” Students admit that most of the vapes confiscated by the school come from Central Supermarket. They have been confiscated from children as young as 11.
PC Ray Kurn from Norfolk Constabulary's Operational Partnership Team in Breckland added in court papers: “The sale of illegal vapes is disturbing and the sale to children is utterly abhorrent and this has been shown time and time again from Central Supermarket with no sign of stopping. This application is being sought so as to stop this continuing.
“There is clear evidence from Trading Standards, the local school, local businesses and parents that nuisance, disorder and criminal behaviour has occurred as a result of the actions of the Central Supermarket”.
Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, Cllr Margaret Dewsbury, said: “The Closure Order granted today sends another clear signal that organisations with enforcement responsibilities across Norfolk work effectively together to take positive action to protect public health and address the illegal trading of vapes and vaping products and their illegal sale to children and young people under 18.
“Tobacco and vape enforcement a top priority for our Trading Standards team. Illegal vapes pose a health risk because they often have excessively high levels of nicotine which are over the legal limits, making them highly addictive and harmful to health.”
The application for the order was applied for by Norfolk Constabulary and supported by Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards Team and Breckland District Council.